Piech in Kalimpong. Picture by Chinlop Fudong Lepcha

Kalimpong, Dec. 14: The drug-abuse problem in the hills is attracting international attention.

Twenty-year-old Michael Piech has come all the way from Los Angeles to make a project on the abuse of the drug spasmo proxyvan. The drug is a pain-killer and is in rampant use among drug abusers in the hills.

Piech is one of a group of 20 students who are here as part of a student exchange programme from different parts of America.

Speaking to The Telegraph, Piech said: ?I came here from Pohoma College in Los Angeles in August this year. We were supposed to submit a project on this area and I decided to make mine on drug abuse here. Though the problem is universal, I found the use of spasmo proxyvan exceptionally high in the area and decided to focus on it.? Piech also intends to make a half-an-hour documentary on the issue. He intends to send it back after editing.

?Since I had brought my handycam I thought of making a documentary which could later be used to spread awareness on the issue,? said Piech.

For the short film, Piech interviewed abusers under de-addiction therapy, people working in rehabilitation centres in Sikkim and Darjeeling, government officials working in the drug control department and members of different non-government organisations.

Piech is leaving the hilltown tomorrow.